On a radiant Sunday in Vatican City, over 200,000 faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square to witness Pope Leo XIV celebrate his inaugural Mass. The atmosphere was electric with chants of “Viva il Papa!” as cardinals, world leaders, and pilgrims from across the globe filled the square. Patriarch Bartholomew’s presence further underscored the significance of this moment as a gesture of East-West Christian unity.
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV spoke with deep emotion, opening with the words, “I come to you as a brother who desires to be the servant of your faith and your joy.” The Pope’s message centered on themes of unity, love, and missionary zeal. He called the Church to be a community of togetherness and brotherly love, emphasizing the importance of serving others rather than leading from above.
“This is the hour for love,” he declared, challenging the faithful to embrace each person’s gifts and history without erasing differences. The Pope also quoted St. Augustine, saying, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you,” underscoring the spiritual focus of his pontificate.
Ashley Noronha, reporting from Spain, highlighted several poignant moments during the Mass:
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The Pallium: Pope Leo XIV received the wool band symbolizing his role as the shepherd, adorned with pins representing Christ’s nails.
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The Fisherman’s Ring: With visible emotion, the Pope accepted the ring, a sign of his mission as the successor of St. Peter.
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Cardinals’ Pledge: The College of Cardinals publicly pledged their obedience and unity to the new Holy Father in a moving display of solidarity.
The event was attended by world leaders, including French President Macron, UK Labour Leader Keir Starmer, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, and Senator Marco Rubio. Security was tight, with 6,000 police officers, anti-drone systems, and snipers positioned throughout the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV also met with Ukrainian President Zelensky to discuss a potential ceasefire and held a special meeting with the President of Peru, reflecting his missionary years spent in the country.
Pope Leo XIV’s first homily set a tone of profound humility and service. From the humility in his voice to his decision to walk among the faithful rather than ride in a traditional popemobile, he demonstrated that his papacy would be one rooted in love, unity, and pastoral care.
“This is the hour for love,” he said. And from the looks of it, Pope Leo XIV is ready to lead the Church with a heart firmly anchored in the Gospel.
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